NASCAR finally gets it right with knockout qualifying

DOVER, DE - SEPTEMBER 27: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 National Guard Chevrolet, poses in Victory Lane after qualifying for the pole position in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway on September 27, 2013 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
DOVER, DE - SEPTEMBER 27:  Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 National Guard Chevrolet, poses in Victory Lane after qualifying for the pole position in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway on September 27, 2013 in Dover, Delaware.  (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
DOVER, DE – SEPTEMBER 27: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 National Guard Chevrolet, poses in Victory Lane after qualifying for the pole position in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway on September 27, 2013 in Dover, Delaware. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

It’s something I have wanted to see for years. And Wednesday NASCAR announced it. Starting this season the old days of boring single car qualifying sessions will be a thing of the past; NASCAR laid out its new format for qualifying and will use a knockout style format similar to that used in Formula 1.

It’s a great decision that will leave fans breathless on qualifying days instead of wondering how they will stay awake.  It also gives tracks another outlet to sell tickets as qualifying will definitely be something to watch each week.

For tracks one and a quarter mile or longer,all cars will go out for 25 minutes MORE>>>

Greg Engle
About Greg Engle 7421 Articles
Greg is a published award winning sportswriter who spent 23 years combined active and active reserve military service, much of that in and around the Special Operations community. Greg is the author of "The Nuts and Bolts of NASCAR: The Definitive Viewers' Guide to Big-Time Stock Car Auto Racing" and has been published in major publications across the country including the Los Angeles Times, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also a contributor to Chicken Soup for the NASCAR Soul, published in 2010, and the Christmas edition in 2016. He wrote as the NASCAR, Formula 1, Auto Reviews and National Veterans Affairs Examiner for Examiner.com and has appeared on Fox News. He holds a BS degree in communications, a Masters degree in psychology and is currently a PhD candidate majoring in psychology. He is currently the weekend Motorsports Editor for Autoweek.